Doorframe construction



Jan. 25, 1955 R. G. CUDINI 2,700,441 J DOORFRAME CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 15. 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. F0 6) 5' f z azkz'.

, ram 5V5 Jan. 25, 1955 R. G. CUDlNl DOORFRAME CONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 15, 1950 IN V EN TOR. 7 6/ 6, ('zzdz/zz'.

DOORFRAME CONSTRUCTION Roger G.'Cudinj, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to Moynahan Bronze Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application August 15, 1950, sens! No. 179,550

6 Claims. (Cl. 1 39 "46 This invention relates to door frame constructions and particularly 'to door frames fabricated of extruded metal sections or the like wherein the frame is assembled prior to installation. M It is an object of the present invention to provide a door frame construction as described which can be fabricat ed of metal sections and wherein the sections can be quickly and easily connected, even by an unskilled operator, and result in uniformly accurate frame sizes and proportions. In association with this object, it is within the contemplation of this invention to provide a novel attaching means between adjacent corners of the door frame whereby identical cross-sectional shapes may be used forall sections of the frame, and in which no drilling or other metal-working operations are necessary to assemble the frame.

his a further objectof this invention to provide a novel 'constructionfor attaching the door frame to the wall, wherein the frame may be quickly and accurately adjusted to its true plumb position in the wall opening, and then secured in this position in an elficient manner.

, It is' another object to provide means for adjusting 3 the door frame as described above, which are easily accessible after the frame is installed in the wall but which is completely concealed from view after adjustment.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel door pivot assembly having means integral therewith enabling the door to be removed from the pivot by;a simple manipulation from the outside without disturbihg any other elements of the door frame.

Other and more detailed objects of the invention appear in th'e following description and in the appended claims.

In the drawings, I

Figure 1 is'a perspective view of -a door frame embodyin?! the several features of this invention, parts being broken away for clarity;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the elements at a earner of the door frame, showing the novel connectiiig means for connecting the-ends of adjacent frame i f Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the door frame, showing the various elements of a novel means for securing the door frame to a wall;

Fig. 4 is across-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 showing the novel securing means; and

Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of an upper corner of a door and the adjacent frame, showing the novel pivot assembly, parts being shown in cross section.

The construction comprises in general a door frame 1 1 with a door 12 mounted therein. The door may be either of the offset or center hung type, the latter being shown for purposes of illustration. Although the frame 11 is shown in the present instance as comprising a single unit, it will be understood that the features "of this invention are equally applicable to door frames used in conjunction with side lights or transoms. In the present instance, the door is'shown as being of metal framed glass construction and a fixed "to'p light 13 is mounted within the door frame above the door, being spaced therefrom by a frame section 14 The frame 11 omprises two sidesections 15 and 16, a top section 17,-and a bottom "section 18. These sections may be constructed of various materials but are preferably fab t'ed of extruded metal sections of materia fuch a's aiumnurn, the sections having identical crosssectional shapes as seenrn Figs. 1 and 2. The sections are of general channel shape with the web portion 19 of the channel adjacent and transverse to the plane of the door and the flanges 21 of the channel, which are preferably narrower than the web, extending outwardly substantially parallel to the plane of the door. The web 19 has a re-entrant section 22 intermediate its width, thus forming two shoulders 23 in the web substantially parallel to flanges 21. Each flange has formed inter-me diate its inner surface a section of increased thickness having a T-shaped slot 24 formed therein and a bevel portion 25 along the outer edge 'of the thickened portion. The purpose of this construction will more fully appear hereinafter.

In order to connect adjacent ends of the door frame sections, a novel connecting means is provided comprising a connecting plate 26 of shape best shown in Fig. 2, This plate comprises a flat section extending between the flanges 21 of one of the adjacent frame sections, for example, to the upper frame section 17 shown in Fig. 2, the plate having a recessed portion (not designated) to accommodate the re-entrant section 22. The plate 26 is securely anchored at the end of frame section 17 by means of extensions 27 which underlie the shoulders (not designated) formed by the thickened portions on flanges 21, and by locking bolts 28 which have heads fitting within T-slots 24 and which extend through upstanding flanges 29 on plate 26 flush with the T-slots. The portion of the plate 26 above re-entrant section 22 is further provided with a rectangular tongue 31 extending outwardly from theend-o'f the frame section 17 and an elongated slot 32 of a size adapted to receive the tongue is provided in the re-en'trant portion 22 of frame section 16'.

In assembling the door frame sections 16 and 17, the

tongue '31 is inserted in slot 32, and the sections are brought together until the web section 19 of frame section 16 is flush with the end surfaces of frame section- 17 and plate 26. Tapped holes 33 are provided in the end surface of plate 26 and bolts 34 are inserted through previously drilled holes 35 in frame section 16 and threaded into holes 33, thus drawing frame sections 16 and 17 into engagement. It will be noted that because of the novel construction of the frame sections as well as of connecting plate 26, it is possible to fabricate all of the frame sections from the same stock and to quickly and *easily assemble the sections by securing connect-ing plates 26 to either section at a given joint and 'prefabri'cating the adjacent section so that the longitudinalpositions ofslot 32 "and holes 35 insure the proper final dimensions of the frame. It will be understoodthat the connection described may be used at all junctures of the frame sect-ions.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate a novel means for mounting the door frame in its wall opening and thereafter anusting it to its true plumb {position and securing "i that position. This structure comprises a U-s'haped' bracket .39 having slots 41 in "the "leg section's thereof. A plura lity of these brackets are secured at'spaced intervals-al'on-g the outer portion of the-door frame 'a's-shown' m Fig. '1. For this purpose, bolts '42 are provided which are engaged within T-shaped slots 24=and extend through slots 41, being secured thereto by nuts '43. A relatively large 'access opening 44 is provided in re-entrant se'c'tion 22 of the door frame section opposite each bracket 39, and the bracket is provided with an aperture "4'5 centrally located in its web portion. A door jar'n b 46, which is not assembled to the frame section until after the frame has been adjusted to its plumb position, as hereinafter described, fits'between shoulders 23 of web section 1 9. This door jamb may take various shapes depending upon the-manner in which the door 'is hung in the frame, the ja'rnb shown in the illustrated embodiment being especially adapted for center hung doors. As is best seen in Fig. 4, the jamb is secured in re-entrant section 22 and in overlying relation to access opening 44, spring clips 47 being utilizedto adjustably secure the doorjarnb to the frame aswill'be hereinafter described.

The functioning of the various elements of this feature of the invention may perhaps bestbe understood by a description of the 'r-neth'od in which the door frarne,

after being assembled, mountedwithin the wall opening and adjusted to its final position. As the first step in this operation, brackets 39 are loosely secured at spaced intervals around the door frame adjacent access openings 44. The door frame is then placed within the wall'opening and adjusted to an approximate plumb position. Mounting holes are drilled into the wall material through apertures 45 in brackets 39, the size of apertures 45 being large enough so that the drill bit has ample clearance. An internally threaded expansion device 48 of a conventional type is then inserted within the drilled hole in the wall and a mounting bolt 49 is passed through aperture 45 and threaded into expansion device 48. The relative dimensions of aperture 45 and bolt 49 are such that considerable transverse play is allowed for the bracket. A washer 51 may be placed over the bolt 49 in order to prevent the head of the bolt from passing through the aperture. The door is then adjusted for true plumb in a direction transverse to the plane of the door, the adjustment being permitted by the play in apertures 45, and bolts 49 are tightened. The door frame is next adjusted for plumb in a direction parallel to the plane of the door, andduring this operation slots 41 and 24 will allow the door frame to change its position relative to the brackets 39 which have been secured to the wall. In this manner, it will be seen that the true plumb position of the door frame may be quickly and easily achieved without the necessity of manipulating any elements other than the door frame itself. When the plumb position is achieved, nuts 43 may be tightened through access opening 44 thus securely anchoring the door frame to the wall.

The door jamb 46 may then be assembled to the door frame by means of bolts 52. These bolts are passed through apertures 53 in the door jamb and apertures 54 in spring clips 47, the spring clips being attached to an inner platform 55 in the door jamb and being engageable at its outer ends with re-entrant portion 22 of the frame section. Bolt 52 is threadably engaged with said reentrant portion by means of a threaded aperture 56, the arrangement being such that jamb 46 may be inserted at varying distances into the re-entrant section by selected adjustment of screw 52. The jamb will be held in its adjusted position by virtue of the resilient action of spring 47, and the jamb may thus be used for doors 12 of varying dimensions. A rubber insert 57 may be inserted within a T-slot 58 on the exposed surface of the door jamb in order to weather seal the door when it is in closed position.

Fig. illustrates a feature of my invention comprising a novel door pivot assembly, especially adapted for quick removal and repositioning of the door. This mechanism may be mounted in concealed position on the door frame 58, the installation being shown at the top of the door in the illustrated embodiment. The structure comprises a pin 59 mounted for vertical sliding movement in the frame and in a supporting block 61 for the pin attached to the frame by means of bolts 62. Pin 59 is adapted to pivotallysupport the upper end of door 63, and for this purpose a door pivot plate 64 is secured to the upper corner of the door, the plate containing a sleeve 65, preferably a self-lubricating construction. Pin 59 is movable between a lower position in which it extends below block 61 and into sleeve 65, and an upper position in which the lower end of the pin is flush with, or slightly above, the lower surface of block 61. The actuating means for pin 59 comprises a wirelike spring member 66 mounted within a channel 67 in block 61, the outer end 68 of the spring member extending radially through the pin 59 at an intermediate portion thereof, to thereby yieldably hold the pin in its lower position. Spring member 66 is secured within channel 67 by a transverse pin 69 around which the spring member is looped, the opposite end of the spring member being held stationary by a pin 71. An access opening 72 is provided in the lower surface of block 61 and extends through the block into channel 67, the access opening being spaced forwardly from pin 59.

In operation, the door will normally be pivotally supported at its upper end by pin 59, and at its lower end by conventional means (not shown). When it is desired to remove the door, it is merely necessary to swing the door away from its closed position and insert a screwdriver or similar tool through opening 72 into engagement with the spring member 66. Subsequent upward pressure on the tool will thereupon force spring 66 upwardly, simultaneously lifting pin 59 until it is dis- 4 engaged from sleeve 65 in the door. The upper end of the door may then be moved out of position, and the lower end lifted or otherwise removed from its pivotal support. In order to replace the door, it is merely necessary to reverse the steps above outlined, positioning door pivot 64 beneath the pivot pin 59 while the latter is held in its upper position by a tool, -and then removing the tool and allowing spring 66 to urge the pin into engagement with sleeve 65.

While it will be apparent that the preferred embodiment of the invention herein disclosed is well calculated to fulfill the objects above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. In a door frame construction of the type having a plurality of substantially channel-shaped unitary frame sections, means for adjustably mounting said frame in a wall opening, said mounting means comprising a substantially U-shaped mounting bracket, an apertured portion in the web section of said bracket for attachment to a wall, a slot in each of the leg sections of said bracket, fastener retaining means on the flange portions of one of said frame sections, and fasteners in said retaining means and extending through said slots, whereby said frame section may be adjustably secured to said bracket.

2. The combination according to claim 1, said retaining means comprising slots on the inner surfaces of said flange portions, said fasteners being longitudinally adjustable in said slots and extending inwardly into said frame sections.

3. The combination according to claim 1, further provided with a fastener for attaching said bracket to the wall, said apertured portion of the bracket being of large diameter relative to said fastener, whereby said bracket may be adjustably secured to the wall.

4. In a device of the class described, a rectilinear frame member having a web portion, a re-entrant section extending along said web portion, a jamb movably disposed within said re-entrant section, said jamb being of generally channel-shape and having side portions guided by the sides of said re-entrant section, a plurality of longitudinally extending shoulders within said jamb, a yieldable member comprising a leaf spring compressible between said jamb and said re-entrant section, means on said leaf spring for gripping said shoulders, and a fastener operable to draw said jamb into said re-entrant section against the action of said spring, whereby said jamb may be adjusted to various positions within said re-entrant section.

5. The combination according to claim 4, further provided with a re-entrant portion extending along the web. portion of said jamb, said fastener being disposed within said re-entrant portion.

6. The combination according to claim 4, said fastener being of the screw type, a threaded aperture in said reentrant section of the frame member for receiving said fastener, and an apertured portion on said spring for receiving the fastener therethrough, whereby the fastener serves to retain said spring in position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,308,276 Connell July 1, 1919 1,704,717 Baum Mar. 12, 1929 1,712,019 Baum May 7, 1929' 1,744,732 Baum Jan. 28, 1930 1,788,144 Baum Jan. 6, 1931 1,808,490 Baum June 2, 1931 1,808,754 Baum June 9, 1931 1,901,624 Baum Mar. 14, 1933 1,919,393 Reinhardt July 25, 1933 2,219,683 Erath Oct. 29, 1940 2,309,452 Hasenburger et a1. Jan. 26, 1943 2,364,612 Bales Dec. 12, 1944 2,574,350 Peelle Nov. 6, 1951 2,582,765 Brew Jan. 15, 1952 2,608,276 Kelly Aug. 26, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 615 Great Britain of 1882 353,159 Great Britain July 23, 1931 454,156 Great Britain Sept. 21, 1936, 814,579 France Mar. 22, 1937' 

